Mitofusin 2 inhibits high glucose-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells via modulating mitochondrial function and autophagy.

Introduction: Diabetic cataract (DC) is a common ocular complication of diabetes. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2), a mitochondrial fusion protein, is involved in the pathogenesis of cataract and diabetic complications. However, its role and molecular mechanisms in DC remain unclear.

Ultralight Flexible Collagen Fiber Based Aerogels Derived from Leather Solid Waste for High Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

Designing and developing high-performance shielding materials against electromagnetic interference is of utmost importance due to the rapid advancement of wireless telecommunication technologies. Such materials hold both fundamental and technological significance. A three-stage process is presented for creating ultralight, flexible aerogels from biomass to shield against electromagnetic interference.

The Long Noncoding RNA H19 Promotes Fibrotic Processes in Lens Epithelial Cells.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of lncRNA H19 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its molecular mechanism in fibrotic cataracts.

Methods: TGF-β2-induced EMT was induced in human lens epithelial cell line (HLECs) and rat lens explants to mimic posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in vitro and in vivo. Anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) was induced in C57BL/6J mice.

Development of Nickel Selenide@polydopamine Nanocomposites for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided NIR-II Photothermal Therapy.

The penetration depth of near-infrared laser has greatly restricted the development of most photothermal agents. Recently, photothermal agents in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window have drawn great attention as they can overcome above barrier. Herein, a novel "all in one" NIR-II responsive nanoplatform (nickel selenide @polydopamine nanocomposites, NiSe@PDA NCs) based on in situ coating the polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of biomineralized nickel selenide nanoparticles (NiSe NPs) for dual-model imaging-guided photothermal therapy is reported.

Synthesis and Aggregation Behavior of Jellyfish-Shaped Triazine Hexamer Quaternary Ammonium Chloride Surfactant.

A novel jellyfish-shaped triazine hexamer quaternary ammonium chloride surfactant (THQC) was synthesized, which consisted of one triazine spacer group and six long flexible hydrophobic chains. The molecular structure and aggregation behavior of THQC was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), surface tension, electrical conductivity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), etc. The results show that the jellyfish-shaped THQC has better surface activity and lower surface tension than traditional ionic and Gemini surfactants in aqueous solution.

Factor analysis of electroacupuncture and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for major depressive disorder: an 8-week controlled clinical trial.

Background: There is evidence supporting electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), but its characteristics have not been well investigated.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and characteristics of EA in MDD.

Methods: 60 subjects were enrolled-35 in the EA group and 25 in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) group based on their preferences-in an 8-week non-randomised controlled clinical trial.

An environmentally sustainable plasticizer toughened polylactide.

Cardanol (CD), derived from renewable natural cashew nutshell liquid, has been used as a new plasticizer for polylactide (PLA), to create blends which retain the environmentally friendly features of PLA. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results all reveal that PLA and CD show good miscibility at low CD content. CD significantly decreased the glass transition temperature and enhanced the crystallization ability of PLA, demonstrating good plasticizing efficiency with PLA.

The Role of MAPK and Dopaminergic Synapse Signaling Pathways in Antidepressant Effect of Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Chronic Restraint Stress Rats.

Acupuncture has demonstrated the function in ameliorating depressive-like behaviors via modulating PKA/CREB signaling pathway. To further confirm the antidepressant mechanism of EA on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and dopaminergic synapse signaling pathways, 4 target proteins were detected based on our previous iTRAQ analysis. Rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and electroacupuncture (EA) group.

Simultaneous determination of trace Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry using a reduced graphene oxide-chitosan/poly-l-lysine nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode.

The reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Chitosan (CS) hybrid matrix RGO-CS were coated onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, then, poly-l-lysine films (PLL) were prepared by electropolymerization with cyclic voltammetry (CV) method to prepare RGO-CS/PLL modified glassy carbon electrode (RGO-CS/PLL/GCE) for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of heavy metal ions Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II). Combining the advantageous features of RGO and CS, RGO and CS are used together because the positively charged CS can interact with the negatively changed RGO to prevent their aggregation. Furthermore, CS has many amino groups along its macromolecular chains and possessed strongly reactive with metal ions.

Electroacupuncture and cognitive behavioural therapy for sub-syndromal depression among undergraduates: a controlled clinical trial.

Background: Individuals with sub-syndromal depression (SSD) are at increased risk of incident depressive disorders; however, the ideal therapeutic approach to SSD remains unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), alone or in combination, on depressive symptoms.

Methods: Undergraduate students with SSD were recruited and allocated to one of four groups based on their preferences: EA (n=6), CBT (n=10), EA+CBT (n=6), and untreated control (n=11) groups.

Electroacupuncture pretreatment exhibits anti-depressive effects by regulating hippocampal proteomics in rats with chronic restraint stress.

The clinical effect of electroacupuncture on depression is widely recognized. However, the signal transduction pathways and target proteins involved remain unclear. In the present study, rat models of chronic restraint stress were used to explore the mechanism by which electroacupuncture alleviates depression.

Electrochemical sensor for Isoniazid based on the glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide-Au nanomaterials.

A sensitive electrochemical sensor has been fabricated to detect Isoniazid (INZ) using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Au nanocomposites (RGO-Au). RGO-Au nanocomposites were synthesized by a solution-based approach of chemical co-reduction of Au(III) and graphene oxide (GO), and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The Au nanoparticles separate the RGO sheets in the precipitate and prevent RGO sheets from aggregation upon π-π stacking interactions.

Fabrication of multifunctional SiO2@GN-serum composites for chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy.

Recently, the chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy has become a potential method for cancer treatment. Herein, we developed a multifunctional nanomaterial for chemo-photothermal therapeutics based on silica and graphene core/shell structure (SiO2@GN) because of the ability of GN to convert light energy into heat. Serum protein was further modified onto the surface of GN (SiO2@GN-Serum) to improve the solubility and stability of GN-based nanoparticles in physiological conditions.

The Alterations of IL-1Beta, IL-6, and TGF-Beta Levels in Hippocampal CA3 Region of Chronic Restraint Stress Rats after Electroacupuncture (EA) Pretreatment.

Immunological reactions induced by proinflammatory cytokines have been involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Recent studies showed that Electroacupuncture (EA) was able to reduce depressive symptoms; however, the underlying mechanism and its potential targets remain unknown. In the present study, we used a 21-day chronic restraint stress rats as a model to investigate how EA could alleviate depression.

Effects of particle morphology, pore size and surface coating of mesoporous silica on Naproxen dissolution rate enhancement.

Naproxen (Nap) is a commonly used drug for antiphlogosis and analgesia, but its dissolution rate in water is quite low. In this work, the dissolution behavior of Nap after loading in mesoporous silica materials was investigated in a simulated intestinal fluid (pH=6.8).